At a recent Ultimate Fighting Championship match in Newark, Donald J. Trump made his first public appearance since being convicted on 34 felony counts two days earlier. He walked into the Prudential Center to the tune of Kid Rock’s “American Bad Ass,” receiving a rapturous welcome from the 16,000-strong crowd. This appearance was seen as a reset for Trump, serving as a cheaper alternative to a campaign rally and helping him to portray himself as a victim of persecution. He was joined by Dana White, the CEO of the UFC, as well as his family and supporters.
The diverse crowd at the event was almost entirely male, with men of all ages and backgrounds attending the fight. Many expressed admiration for Trump despite his recent legal troubles, with some believing that his conviction was a setup to harm his chances of running for office again. Trump’s rhetoric about his opponent, President Biden, took on apocalyptic tones, with him referring to America under Biden as a “fascist state.” While some attendees expressed reservations about Biden, others saw him as simply getting older or being guided by others.
The UFC match itself was a violent spectacle, showcasing fighters from around the world engaging in brutal combat. Trump watched with interest as fighters battled it out in the octagon, with one American fighter emerging victorious over a Polish opponent in a particularly brutal match that left the Polish fighter with a potentially dislocated arm. The crowd erupted in cheers as the victorious American fighter approached Trump, shook his hand, and received words of praise from the former president.
The atmosphere at the event was charged with excitement and adrenaline, with the crowd engaging in chants of “U-S-A” as Trump acknowledged their support by pumping his fist in the air. The event was captured in a video that was used to launch Trump’s new TikTok account, showcasing his appearance at the UFC match as a bold and defiant moment in the face of his recent legal troubles. The crowd’s enthusiastic support for Trump, despite his recent setbacks, reflected his continued popularity among a segment of the American public.
Overall, the UFC match served as a platform for Trump to assert his presence and defiance in the face of legal challenges and political opposition. The event allowed him to connect with his supporters and project an image of strength and resilience, buoyed by the enthusiastic reactions of the crowd. Trump’s appearance at the UFC match was seen as a calculated move to regain momentum and reframe the narrative around his recent legal troubles, positioning him as a figure of support and admiration among his loyal followers.
